The Brick Show

LEGO Icons Blacktron Cruiser (40580) Marks the Return of One of LEGO’s Popular Sets

Earlier today, LEGO.com listed another gift-with-purchase set that will certainly pull at all the nostalgic heartstrings of LEGO Space fans. In what seems to be a move to further appeal to the LEGO for Adults market, the LEGO Icons Blacktron Cruiser (40580) has been announced as an upcoming promotional set that will certainly be on the must-have list of older LEGO fans.

As pointed out by Huw from Brickset, the 356-piece set is an improved version of the previous LEGO Blacktron Invader (6894) released in 1987. And like its larger cousin in the form of the LEGO Icons Galaxy Explorer (10497) which was released back in August, the Blacktron Cruiser (40580) serves as a nod to the highly popular Space subtheme back in the day. It also comes with a much-desired Blacktron Rogue minifigure, some parts with stickers (yeah, I wish LEGO offered this as printed instead), and several redesigned portions. It also retains its modular build where the ship itself can be divided into three distinct sections.

It is clear by now that LEGO is putting much effort into re-launching or perhaps rebranding its classic sets to appeal to a larger, AFOL market. The strategy seems to integrate these “classic” themes across its various themes, and most prominent of these are ones coming from the LEGO Ideas and LEGO Icons themes such as the Pirates of the Barracuda Bay (21322) and Lion Knights’ Castle (10305) respectively.

It’s unclear if LEGO will have a relaunch of the entire Space or Blacktron theme as we know them in the past, but the strategy of re-releasing some of the most popular sets from this theme and those that we sorely miss seems to be working.

For now, here’s what LEGO has to say about the LEGO Icons Blacktron Cruiser (40580), together with some official images. Bookmark our blog site and sign up for notifications so we can keep you posted when this set is available.

LEGO Icons Blacktron Cruiser (40580)

356 pieces | Includes a Blacktron Rogue minifigure | Gift-With-Purchase set

Rediscover a classic LEGO® set from the 1980s with the LEGO Icons Blacktron Cruiser (40580). A highly-detailed redesign of the classic 6894 set, it’s guaranteed to provide hours of enjoyment and nostalgia for LEGO fans. With all the functionality of the original model, the Blacktron Cruiser is still one of the most dangerous spaceships in the LEGO universe. This updated set comes complete with its original baddies: the Blacktron rogue and his trusty robot sidekick.

Rebuild a favorite – A redesign of an iconic ’80s LEGO® set, this Blacktron Cruiser lets LEGO fans build a childhood favorite all over again
Rediscover the original bad guys – The set comes complete with a Blacktron rogue and a Blacktron robot, whose accessories include a metal detector and a hammer wrench
Dimensions – This product measures over 2 in. (5 cm) high, 11.5 in. (29 cm) long and 9 in. (23 cm) wide

New LEGO 90th Anniversary Space Set Arriving Soon

For your friendly reminder, this year is the 90^th anniversary of LEGO. That plucky Danish toy company turned global brand giant’s been a good part of the lives of children and collectors. And in celebration, LEGO’s been hyping up revivals of classic sets given fresh new design revamps. Cases in point: LEGO Classic 90 Years of Play (11021) and the upcoming Lion King’s Castle (10305). Of course, those aforementioned sets are just the beginning. In fact, there’s a rumor about a possible 90th-anniversary set in the vein of the classic Castle theme. That means a classic LEGO theme throwback is arriving soon as the LEGO 90th Anniversary Space set.

Brick Fanatics has it that a new LEGO set number’s been floating around for the Creator Expert or Icons line. According to the rumor, it’ll be a space-themed set that remakes a classic entry of that LEGO theme. The LEGO 90th Anniversary Space set number 10497 will allegedly bring a new version of the Galaxy Explorer from 1979. This classic set features a space shuttle, planetary outpost, and rover, plus astronaut minifigs. You can see from the image how bare-bones the vehicle details were back in the day. It also means that if the rumor is true, a Creator Expert or Icons treatment of the set will look extremely fine.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. This is a rumor, and until LEGO makes an official reveal, we must treat it as such. There is, after all, the matter of the 90^th anniversary LEGO Castle (10305). Castle and Space were among the chosen themes voted for an anniversary set in 2022. The Castle (10305) was announced first, so one can assume it won. But maybe LEGO decided to give us more. You may be tired of hearing this by now, but it’s a matter of waiting once again.

Orange LEGO Classic Spaceman Minifigure Coming In October 2020

Here’s something that will put a smile on Benny’s face. Amazon UK has listed a new LEGO book offering from DK Publishing and it comes with a freebie that LEGO fans of the classic Space genre will be raring to have. The LEGO Minifigure: A Visual History (New Edition) will be released later this year with an exciting new minifig that most of us will love to have – an orange LEGO Classic Spaceman minifigure!

This new LEGO book chronicles the journey of the iconic LEGO minifigure, with an updated roster of the best minifigures around since 1978. Like most LEGO books released by DK, its quite obvious that the huge selling point of this upcoming book is the exclusive minifig that goes with it. Aside from having a cool reference material to the evolution of the LEGO minifig, this orange variant of the LEGO Classic Spaceman is a must-have for fans of the classic theme. If you already own the LEGO Movie2 Benny’s Space Squad (70841) set, then be sure to keep this DK offering under your radar. It will surely be a welcome gesture if LEGO will eventually consider re-releasing it’s Classic Space theme, similar to what they did with their 2015’s series of Pirates-inspired sets. But for now, other than Benny and his gang from the LEGO Movie 2, the closest that we currently have similar to this will be the LEGO City Space sets from last year.

Amazon UK is already accepting pre-orders as early as now, with the LEGO Minifigure: A Visual History (New Edition) tagged at £30.00. I’ll provide you with updates once this book appears in US stores or at Amazon US. Here’s a quick blurb of this new LEGO book.

LEGO Minifigure: A Visual History (New Edition)

Celebrate the epic journey of the LEGO® minifigure with this new edition – featuring an exclusive spaceman minifigure!

Why don’t minifigures have ears? Which minifigure has appeared in the most ever sets? Which minifigure has a wolf alter ego?

This updated edition highlights the best minifigures from every year since 1978. Starring more than 2,000 of the most popular and rare minifigures from the LEGO® Minifigure Series and themes including LEGO® NINJAGO®, THE LEGO® MOVIE™, LEGO® Star Wars™, LEGO® City, LEGO® Harry Potter™ and many more. Discover the evolution of minifigure design from past to present and explore their accessories and sets.

From divers, astronauts and vampires to Super Heroes, firefighters and movie characters, feast your eyes on the most awesome minifigures of every decade!

LEGO Creator Expert NASA Apollo 11 Lunar Lander (10266) Officially Revealed

LEGO has finally unveiled its next LEGO Creator Expert set after several days of teasing it via social media. Just in time to celebrate 50 years of man’s historic landing on the moon, the LEGO Group is proud to announce the LEGO Creator Expert NASA Apollo 11 Lunar Lander (10266). This set comes in at 1,087 pieces and will retail for $99.99 USD at shop.LEGO.com and at your local LEGO store beginning June 1st. Check out the images below and read on the for the full product description.

LEGO Creator Expert NASA Apollo 11 Lunar Lander (10266)
1087 pieces | Ages 16+
$99.99 USD | 139.99 CAD
Available June 1, 2019

Celebrate space exploration with the NASA Apollo 11 Lunar Lander!

Celebrate man’s first moon landing with this LEGO® Creator Expert 10266 NASA Apollo 11 Lunar Lander building set—developed in cooperation with NASA to mark the 50th anniversary of a historical event that captivated the world. This collectible model features a highly detailed replica of Apollo 11’s Eagle lunar module, plus a depiction of the lunar surface, complete with crater, footprints and a U.S. flag. The descent stage comes with gold-colored landing pads and panels, opening camera and laser hatches, and a ladder, while the ascent stage has a detailed interior with room for 2 astronauts. Finished with an Apollo 11 Lunar Lander nameplate, this display model makes a great centerpiece for the home or office and provides a challenging and rewarding building experience full of nostalgia. Includes 2 astronaut minifigures with NASA decoration and golden helmets.

Includes 2 astronaut minifigures with NASA decoration and golden helmets.
This advanced LEGO® set features a detailed replica of the Eagle lunar lander with separate ascent and descent stages, plus a depiction of the lunar surface with crater, footprints and a U.S. flag.
Descent stage features new-for-June-2019 gold-colored landing pads and panels, opening camera and laser hatches and a ladder.
Ascent stage features a detailed interior with room for 2 astronaut minifigures.
Celebrate space exploration with this highly detailed display model.
Accessory elements include a brick-built video camera and laser reflector.
New-for-June-2019 decorated elements include an Apollo 11 Lunar lander nameplate and golden elements.
Measures over 7” (20 cm) high, 8” (22cm) wide and 7” (20cm) deep.

LEGO Creator Expert NASA Apollo 11 Lunar Lander (10266) Sets Spotted in LEGOLAND Germany

I guess it’s bound to happen – either some opportunistic, street smart LEGO scalper who flaunts his wares on eBay or a LEGO Store employee that slips up and puts a LEGO set on display way early of its embargoed date, images of the next LEGO Creator Expert set eventually found its way on the web. And this seems to be the case for the LEGO Creator Expert NASA Apollo 11 Lunar Lander (10266). After teasing the set on social media, some LEGO Store employee in LEGOLAND Germany might have been too excited to display the set in their local store way too early.

Promobricks reports that an eagle-eyed LEGO fan in Germany has spotted the Lunar Lander set now placed on sale inside LEGOLAND Germany. Though I’m happy for those fans who will have an early chance of getting their own set, I surely feel that The LEGO Group will not be happy about this store slip-up.

According to Promobricks’ report, the LEGO Creator Expert NASA Apollo 11 Lunar Lander (10266) is being sold for 89.99 Euros and comes in at 1,087 pieces. As I said, this set is still embargoed so I’m not in liberty to share some images of this set. But if you don’t mind the early spoilers, I guess by now the Internet is riddled with its images already. This next LEGO Creator Expert set is slated to be revealed anytime soon so we just have to hold on to our horses a little bit more.

I’ll keep you posted once the reveal is official so be sure to stay tuned here in our blogsite for the latest update on this Lunar Lander. Better still, you may subscribe to our site to get notified about the latest LEGO news and happenings that we share – just click the red notification bell at the bottom right corner of your screen to get instant, push notifications.

LEGO Teases The New LEGO Creator Expert NASA Apollo 11 Lunar Lander Set

LEGO is definitely looking forward to revive the LEGO Space theme in one form or the other. After the successful launch of the new LEGO City Space sets, LEGO has now teased via social media another large set that caters to LEGO and NASA enthuasiasts. Now if you’re actively involved among LEGO fan forums and sites, chances are, you have an encountered already what this mystery set is. In fact, LEGO has given out some images of this set to several European retailers for marketing purposes. Though taken down already, eagle-eyed LEGO fans were quick to capture a snapshot of the new LEGO Creator Expert NASA Apollo 11 Lunar Lander in all its golden glory.

However, LEGO is still holding on to its horses pending a full reveal of this next Creator Expert set. Check out this 5-second video clip that highlights the first giant leap for LEGO minifigs in space.

I love how the small minifig print appears on the surface of the moon, imitating mankind’s first moon landing. The LEGO Creator Expert NASA Apollo 11 Lunar Lander is expected to be available sometime next month, with an official reveal to happen any time next week. As a Creator Expert set, this new real world set is expected to consist of more than a thousand pieces and will retail for almost a hundred US dollars. The fact that this new LEGO set is set to be released in June celebrating the 50th year anniversary of NASA’s moon landing, makes this set more appealling to fans.

It is also said that this set will be accompanied with a special promotional item in the form of a commemorative patch, similar to what LEGO did when when it released a limited edition promotional keychain that accompanied the LEGO Creator Expert Ford Mustang (10265).

Be sure to stay tuned and subscribe to our blog site for more news about the official reveal of the LEGO Creator Expert NASA Apollo 11 Lunar Lander any time soon.